“I’m surprised to be on the show at all,” he said. “This is a non-story. I’m surprised its made the front pages of the news.”

Referring to the fact that we are living in 2016, Richard said: “I thought we’d moved on from this, obviously we haven’t, she’s just out there doing a great job.”

It’s been well-publicised that Helen’s appointment as anchor of the Olympic swimming coverage has long been an aspiration of hers, which her father also made a nod to in light of the obsession with her outfits.

ITV

Helen Skelton’s father called in to This Morning earlier today to weigh in on the media attention

Helen Skelton in pictures

British presenter Helen Skelton in pictures.

Helen’s appointment as anchor of the Olympic swimming coverage has long been an aspiration of hers

I thought we’d moved on from this, obviously we haven’t

Richard Skelton

“She’s worked very hard,” he said. “She’s obviously more bothered about the Olympians. She loves live TV. And she is simply a young woman in a hot place in a skirt.”

Ruth and Eamonn asked Richard if Helen was upset by the comments, to which he replied: “Not at all. I don’t think she’s really aware at what’s been said. Why do we always have to comment on womens’ clothes?”

He finished off his This Morning chat by adding: “I’d be the first to tell her if I thought it was inappropriate!”

Eamonn and Ruth supported Richard’s comments and said he’s clearly done a great job raising the presenter, to which he replied: “Obviously I agree with you on that!”